On 28 September, SMILE-UP. announced changes to its management structure, making clear that Noriyuki Higashiyama (東山紀之) would leave the presidency effective 30 September. Attorney Masayuki Yamada (山田将之) will become the new president, Julie Keiko Fujishima (藤島ジュリー景子) will remain in office, and Higashiyama indicated that he intends to continue addressing the sexual abuse issue after leaving office.
On 28 September, SMILE-UP. announced changes to its management structure and disclosed that Noriyuki Higashiyama (東山紀之) would leave his position as representative director and president effective 30 September. Higashiyama (東山) held a press conference in Tokyo that day and expressed his views on the future.
Regarding the background to his departure, Higashiyama (東山) became president in 2023 following the sexual abuse issue involving the late Johnny Kitagawa (ジャニー喜多川), the founder of former Johnny & Associates. At the end of that year, he retired from entertainment activities and began working on compensation for victims.
As for his successor, attorney Masayuki Yamada (山田将之) will become representative director, president and chief compliance officer effective 1 October, while Julie Keiko Fujishima (藤島ジュリー景子) will remain a representative director. Higashiyama (東山) indicated that he intends to continue addressing the sexual abuse issue after leaving office, but said that he is not currently considering a specific return to the entertainment industry.
After the press conference, many comments appeared on social media praising Higashiyama’s unchanged looks and calm voice, prompting discussion linking them to the voice and image from programs he previously hosted.
Higashiyama (東山) said that, while stepping away from the public stage after many years, he would continue looking for ways to contribute to society.